Michael could see the fear, and tightened his arm around Alex, feeling bad that he'd said anything that had upset him. He wanted Alex safe, happy, away from his dad. But not by heading into war. He also didn't want to push Alex to something he wasn't ready for.

"I didn't think he'd go that far. Now I know that he will, he won't catch me off-guard again. I can take care of myself." Using his powers would mean having to cover it up afterward, but he wasn't going to let Jesse Manes hurt him or Alex again. "But...ending up going off to war is potentially a lot harder than figuring out another way to pay for college."

Michael wished he could give Alex the scholarship he had to let go. It would still mean him leaving, but he'd be leaving for somewhere safe enough, and Michael could drive up to see him sometimes, at least. But it didn't work that way. "I don't want you to leave..."

It took a lot to admit that, but if Alex was being vulnerable, he could be, too, right?